Disability pension not for injuries off-duty, says Supreme Court

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: The Supreme Court of India has ruled that a person serving in the army is not entitled to a disability pension if the disability is acquired off-duty. “A person claiming disability pension must be able to show a reasonable nexus between the act, omission or commission, resulting in an injury to the person, and the normal expected standard of duties and way of life expected from such person,” the Court said.

The apex court passed the order, upholding an appeal filed by the Centre challenging a judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, directing the Government to pay disability pension to a person who suffered eyesight impairment due to an accident sustained in his hometown while on leave.